Griffin Health in Derby to host education program about weight loss meds

DERBY - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living will host a new free health education program about GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 medications that support weight-loss and metabolic health.

Thriving on GLP-1 for Metabolic & Weight Management is a three-week workshop for anyone considering starting a GLP-1 or presently taking one. 

This workshop will explain the science of obesity, weight regulation, how GLP-1 medications work, and their benefits and risks. Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist Carolyn Gundell, MS, CDCES, will share strategies for managing medication side effects and discuss evaluating eating patterns, physical activity benefits, and other lifestyle habits that help sustain long-term weight loss and reduce health risks.

There will be a session on Thursdays July 30, and Aug. 6 and 13 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

This free wellness program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improve community wellness through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease. Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

Register at www.griffinhealth.org/thriving-on-glp1 or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Prescription takeback event slated Saturday at Bradley School in Derby

DERBY - Join us tomorrow for a DEA National Prescription Takeback event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bradley School, 155 David Humphreys Road,  

Drop off your unwanted, expired, or no longer needed medications at this drive-through event. Your participation will help prevent prescription medicine misuse and opioid abuse. 

Shared from a Facebook event page.

Surgeon to discuss hip, knee pain at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

Adam Driesman, M.D.

Hip and Knee Pain: What Over the Counter Medications Can We Use to Treat Pain?

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton

Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2661&EventID=521337&PK=

or call (203) 924-1580 ext. 5102.

SHELTON - Plumb Memorial Library will welcome Dr. Adam Driesman at 2 p.m. April 17 to discuss hip and knee pain.

Driesman is a fellowship-trained adult hip and knee surgeon who focuses on treating people of all ages who suffer from debilitating hip or knee conditions.

Throughout his training, Dr. Driesman performed over 1,000 procedures, ranging from minimally invasive hip arthroscopy to complex knee revisions. He treats each patient as an individual, not a diagnosis.

His passion for medicine, dedication to a patient’s well-being, and commitment to excellence are central to his values.

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Derby slates Medication Take Back Day April 22 at Bradley School

DERBY - The Derby Youth Service Bureau is partnering with the Derby Police Department and Naugatuck Valley Health District to hold a Medication Take Back Day April 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The event will be held at Bradley School, 155 David Humphreys Road.

This community service initiative is in unison with the National Medication Take Back Day and is in response to the public health crisis concerning the growing number of overdose deaths in our country, which has doubled in recent years.

This effort is intended to take back un-wanted, un-used prescription drugs, which can make their way into the community and in the hands of young people. 

The inappropriate use of these drugs can lead to possible addiction and the desire to move toward a more dangerous illicit drug market. These illicit drugs, which are often tainted with fentanyl and other synthetic chemicals, are dangerous and have caused thousands of overdose deaths. Medication Take Back Day is one-step in helping to prevent these overdose tragedies.

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Dispose of medications Saturday at Bradley School in Derby

 

Klarides-Ditria reminds residents of National Drug Take Back Day April 30

Saturday, April 30 is National Drug Take Back Day. The Take Back Day is part of the DEA’s National Take Back Initiative to safely dispose of unwanted medications. For more information, or to check availability or specific drop off times, please contact the agency listed.  Collection sites are set up throughout the area, including: Seymour Seymour Police Department, 11 Franklin St., Seymour, CT Orange Orange Police Department, 314 Lambert Road, Orange, CT   Help prevent over-the-counter (cough medicine, pain relievers, etc.) and prescription drug abuse by dropping off any unwanted, expired, or unused medicines, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. All medications must be in original containers, with all names crossed out. **The service is free and anonymous, no questions will be asked** No needles or sharps will be accepted. Examples of sharps include: Needles – hollow needles used to inject drugs (medication) under the skin Syringes – devices used to inject medication into or withdraw fluid from the body Lancets, also called “fingerstick” devices – instruments with a short, two-edged blade used to get drops of blood for testing. Lancets are commonly used in the treatment of diabetes. Auto Injectors, including epinephrine and insulin pens – syringes pre-filled with fluid medication designed to be self-injected into the body Infusion sets – tubing systems with a needle used to deliver drugs to the body. Connection needles/sets – needles that connect to a tube used to transfer fluids in and out of the body. This is generally used for patients on home hemodialysis.

Sincerely, Contact Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria 860-240-8700 | 800-842-1423 www.repnkd.com nicole.klarides-ditria@housegop.ct.gov

Naugatuck Valley Health District offers disposal pouches for unwanted meds

SEYMOUR - The Naugatuck Valley Health District shared the following post on Monday, International Overdose Awareness Day:

"If you have unused or unwanted medication, please call NVHD at 203-881-3255 x100 to request a free Deterra safe medication disposal pouch be mailed to your house.

"They are easy to use and make it safe to dispose of unwanted pills, liquid and/or medicated patches at home!" 

Public health officials offer tips to prepare for spread of coronavirus

Sharing from a Facebook post:

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host Q&A about medications with pharmacists

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby will host a Q&A with pharmacists March 4./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital invites the community to bring their medication questions to Griffin’s expert pharmacists March 4 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the hospital.

Griffin Health Director of Pharmacy Services Lisa Jaser, Pharm D, and other members of the Griffin Pharmacy staff will lead a casual Q&A for any and all medication questions.

Medication errors injure hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States. However, most medication errors can be prevented with open communication between the pharmacist and patient as well as the patient’s caregivers. 
Important information individuals should ask their pharmacist includes the name of the medication, what it is supposed to do, how to take or use the medication, what to do if a dose is missed, and what activities, foods, or other medications to avoid while taking the medication.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host discussion of diabetes medications

Griffin Hospital to host discussion of diabetes medications on Sept. 10./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free discussion of diabetes medications at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Endocrinologist Dr. Chi Tang of Griffin Faculty Physicians will discuss the pros and cons of various diabetes medications and how to adjust insulin dose, including an insulin pump. 

The talk will be based on questions from attendees looking to gain a deeper understanding of diabetes to become more independent in their diabetes management.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Local police departments listed for expired medication disposal

This Saturday - April 27 - is National Drug Take Back Day! 
Check in with your local Police Department to find out where you can drop off your unused and expired medications. Also, check out any of these 24/7 locations.


*Shared from the Alliance for Prevention and Wellness Facebook page.

BHcare offers medication-assisted treatment in Ansonia, Branford

Medication-Assisted Treatment is now available at BHcare sites in Branford and Ansonia. 

MAT combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders.

MAT is the use of FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone (Vivitrol), buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) or methadone - along with comprehensive counseling and behavioral therapies - to help to provide a “whole-person” approach to address issues related to opioid use disorders, including withdrawal, cravings, and relapse prevention. 

BHcare offers buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) or naltrexone along with counseling and supports for treatment of opioid use disorders. 

Individuals who want to stop using opioids and other substances may find it very difficult. Their need to satisfy cravings or avoid withdrawal can be so intense that they feel hopeless and overwhelmed. At the right dose, and with behavioral therapies, medication assisted therapy can suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms and suppress cravings to help individuals continue treatment and avoid illicit opioid use.

MAT helps people maintain recovery, saves money, reduces crime, and helps people regain their health and their lives. The U.S. surgeon general’s Spotlight on Opioids report calls MAT the “gold standard” for treatment.

“Our approach is truly comprehensive, looking at all aspects of a person’s recovery including treatment of co-occurring conditions,” said Dr. Sandra E. Gomez Luna, Medical Director at BHcare. “We understand the need for support within the community. We provide individualized care, attending to everyone’s unique needs.”  

Call to make an appointment today: Ansonia, 203-736-2601; Branford, 203-483-2630.

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities.  

For more information, visit www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Diabetes care is topic of talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation about the latest in diabetes care at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Board Certified Endocrinologist Dr. Liqun Song, of Griffin Faculty Physicians, will discuss the latest treatments in diabetes care, including newer medications and continuous glucose monitoring.

Song will also be available to answer questions.

The presentation will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

No registration is required. 
For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Learn about asthma at Naugatuck Valley Health District session in Seymour